ETC SmartFade ML User Manual

Control Console User Manual

Version 3.0.1

Product information and specifications subject to change.

Part Number:

7219M1210-3.0.1

Released: 2011-10

Rev A

ETC intends this document, whether printed or electronic, to be provided in its entirety.

ETC permits the reproduction of materials in this manual only for non-commercial purposes. All other rights are reserved by ETC.

ETC

, Emphasis®, Expression®, Insight™, Imagine™, Focus™, Express™, Unison®, Obsession® II, SmartPack®,

SmartFade™, ETCNet2™, EDMX™, Source Four

, Revolution®, Sensor®, and WYSILink™ are either registered

trademarks or trademarks of Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc. in the United States and other countries.

Microsoft

and Windows® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other

countries.

All other trademarks, both marked and not marked, are the property of their respective owners.

Table of Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Using this Manual. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Menu Directions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Text Conventions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Help from ETC Technical Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Power-up and Shutdown Procedures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Unpack & Connect. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Power-up Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Shutdown Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Operating Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Save & Load to Memory Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Save Show to Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Quick Save Show to Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Load show from Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Load Patch from Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Load User Personalities from Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Load Personalities from Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Format SD Memory Card. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Control Capacity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Frontpanel Functionality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

General Buttons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Faders & Bump Buttons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Master & Black Out Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Independents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Crossfader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Sequence & Stack Functions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Record & Edit Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

The Select Section. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

LCD & Wheel Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Philosophy of the Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

HTP and LTP control rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Different Ways to Use SmartFade ML . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Data Structure & Timing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

DMX Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

DMX Out Speed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Clear/Set Patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Clear Intensity Patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Set Intensity Patch 1:1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Clear Device Patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Patch Dimmers (INT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Patch by Dimmer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Patch by Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Patch Independents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Set up Independents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Patch Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Device Personalities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Patch Multiple Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Device Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

View/Modify Device Patch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Device Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Console Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Erase Functions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Default Times. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Crossfade Faders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Memory Rubberband . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

DMX Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

MIDI Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Language. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Software Version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

LED Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Save LED Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Load LED Calibration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Chapter 3

MIDI Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

MIDI Show Control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

Synchronising Two SmartFades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

Basic MIDI Implementation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

MIDI Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Sending MIDI Controllers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Custom Moving Light Personalities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Custom Moving Light Personalities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Open the Personality Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Edit a Personality Live . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Special - Color Mix CMY, RGB & RAGB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Edit a Personality Blind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Example (Blind) - Pan/Tilt 16 Bit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Special - Fade With Intensity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Special - Invert Parameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Intensity Channels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

Live or Next Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

Adjust Channel Range. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

Set Channel Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

Devices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

Select Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

Device Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44

ii SmartFade ML v3.0.1 User Manual

Device Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Device Palettes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

General Device Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Shape effects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Offset Relations In Shape and Color Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52

Color Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

Linear Effects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Memories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

Record a Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

Snapshots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

Record a Snapshot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

Copy a Snapshot to a Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

Clear all Snapshots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

Sequences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

Record a Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

Stack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

Record the Stack from Bumps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Record a Stack State or “Cue”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

Chapter 4

Edit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65

Edit Memories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

Edit a Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

Delete a Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67

Delete Multiple Memories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67

Copy a Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67

Default Device Times. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68

Memory FCB Times. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68

Edit Sequences & Stack. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69

Edit the Content of a Step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69

Delete a Step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70

Insert a Step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70

Insert a PointQ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71

Change the Content of a Step . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71

Copy a Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72

Delete a Sequence or the Stack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72

Run Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73

Sequence & Stack Times . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74

Edit Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Edit Shape Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Edit Linear Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78

Edit Color Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79

Chapter 5

Edit Palettes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80

Playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

General Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82

Master & Black Out function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82

iii

Clear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82

Bump Master . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82

Memories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83

Select Fader Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83

Memory Fader Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83

Memory Bump Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83

Clear Output from Memory Faders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84

Examples of Using Memory Faders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84

Sequences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85

Select Fader Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85

Sequence Bump Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85

Rate & BPM for Sequences. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86

Stack & Crossfader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87

General Crossfader Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87

Stack functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87

Change Times For The Stack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88

Rate for the Stack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88

Single Scene Crossfading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89

Appendix A

Software Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

Update the Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90

iv SmartFade ML v3.0.1 User Manual

Introduction

Congratulations on your purchase of the SmartFade ML lighting control console. The SmartFade ML console offers a great feature range including hands-on manual control, memory driven operation, and an impressive array of features for systems work. SmartFade ML is perfect for any venue, usable for small touring shows, auditorium productions, or as a stage manager’s remote console.

This chapter contains the following sections:

• Using this Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

• Help from ETC Technical Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

• Power-up and Shutdown Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

• Save & Load to Memory Card. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Introduction 1

Using this Manual

BLACK

OUT

This manual will hopefully get you up and running in no time. These are the manual conventions.

Instructions

Instructions are shown in a table with columns for Action, Console and Feedback.

Action Console Feedback

Activate Blackout mode Button lights up. No output except from the

* There may be a comment like this with an asterisk.

Menu Directions

Many functions require menu navigation. For brevity’s sake, menu navigation is conveyed in the following method:

Menu>Settings>Language>[English]

Each “>” indicates passage to a new menu sublevel, usually by pressing the MENU button. Items [within brackets] are changed with the wheels or the SEL or MORE buttons.

Displays are shown like this

Independents.*

Text Conventions

• Buttons in tables are shown as images. Buttons in text are indicated with bold capital letters followed by the word button. Like STACK button.

• References to other parts of the manual are indicated in italics. When viewing this manual electronically, click on the reference to jump to that section of the manual.

Note:

CAUTION:

Notes are helpful hints and information that is supplemental to the main text.

A Caution statement indicates situations where there may be undefined or unwanted consequences of an action, possible data loss or equipment problems.

Please E-mail comments about this manual to: TechComm@etcconnect.com

2 SmartFade ML v3.0.1 User Manual

Help from ETC Technical Services

If you are having difficulties, your most convenient resources are the references given in this user manual. To search more widely, try the ETC Web site at www.etcconnect.com You can ask other users for advice on the ETC forums at www.etcconnect.com/community.

If none of these resources is sufficient, contact ETC Technical Services directly at one of the offices identified below. Emergency service is available from all ETC offices outside of normal business hours.

When calling for help, please have the following information handy:

• Console model and serial number (located on back panel)

• Dimmer manufacturer and installation type

• Other components in your system (Unison

, other consoles, etc.)

Americas

Electronic Theatre Controls Inc.

Technical Services Department

3031 Pleasant View Road

Middleton, WI 53562

800-775-4382 (USA, toll-free)

+1-608 831-4116

service@etcconnect.com

Asia

ETC Asia, Ltd.

Technical Services Department

Room 1801, 18/F, Tower 1

Phase 1, Enterprise Square

9 Sheung Yuet Road

Kowloon Bay, Kowloon,

Hong Kong

+852 2799 1220

service@etcasia.com

United Kingdom

Electronic Theatre Controls Ltd.

Technical Services Department

26-28 Victoria Industrial Estate

Victoria Road,

London W3 6UU England

+44 (0)20 8896 1000

service@etceurope.com

Germany

Electronic Theatre Controls GmbH

Technical Services Department

Ohmstrasse 3

83607 Holzkirchen, Germany

+49 (80 24) 47 00-0

techserv-hoki@etcconnect.com

Introduction 3

Power-up and Shutdown Procedures

Unpack & Connect

You can get SmartFade ML up and running in no time.

• Unpack

• Connect power

• Connect DMX to dimmers, moving lights, scrollers and LEDs

• Power up

Power-up Procedure

SmartFade ML uses the power button for power-up and power-down. It is also used to access the operating mode selection menu.

Action Console Feedback

Press and release The LCD shows the current software version.

* During the startup process, LEDs will fade to full brightness regardless of user settings.

Shutdown Procedure

Action Console Feedback

1. Press and release The LCD shows a message asking that you

2a. Confirm Console is shut down.

2b. Cancel Shutdown is cancelled and operation

When you use the shutdown procedure, the SmartFade ML console will complete any pending operations and save any system data as required to ensure error-free startup at the next session. Disconnecting power from the console while it is shut down produces no ill effects.

The button LEDs will light up in the following order: GREEN, RED, rest. After this all LEDs light to the levels appropriate to the selected mode of operation. *

confirm the shutdown command.

resumed.

4 SmartFade ML v3.0.1 User Manual

Operating Modes

Hold the power button during start-up to enter the Operating Modes menu. This allows you to select different operating modes.

Action Console Feedback

1. Press and hold (console must be off)

2. Select mode Wheel (3) >Full control

3. Activate mode The console will enter the selected mode.

The LCD shows the Operating Modes menu.

All functions available

>Control & Playback

No recording or patch functions.

>Playback only

All intensity and device direct control functions are disabled as well as record and patch.

The console will continue to power up in this mode until the mode is changed.

Introduction 5

Save & Load to Memory Card

SmartFade ML uses either a standard SD Memory card or SDHC Memory card as the primary external storage device. Before you can use a new SD card make sure it is formatted correctly (FAT16). See “Format SD Memory Card” on page 9.

Note:

CAUTION:

When using SDHC Memory cards for show file storage, please use the following guidelines for best performance:

• Keep your show file names to 8 characters or less. This will ensure the entire name can be viewed in the SmartFade LCD display when loading and saving shows.

• Keep fewer than 100 show files in the root directory of your SDHC Memory card. Other file types or archived show files should be kept in folders on the card. This will speed performance of reading the file directory and will help to minimize excessive scrolling of the file menu.

Only standard SD Memory cards or connection to a PC via USB may be used for updating the software on a SmartFade console. Software update is not possible using an SDHC Memory card.

The file format is ASCII Text Representation for Lighting Console Data. This format is compatible with all systems that follow this standard. Although there may be discrepancies between systems, usually the main play data is compatible. See www.usitt.org.

Save Show to Card

This is done from the Save/Load Show menu

Menu>Save/Load Show>[Save as]

Shows may be given a two digit number with the wheel.

Show files saved in the ETC application SmartSoft can be given any valid DOS-style name and the suffix ".asc"

File naming rules

• A file or directory name can be no more than eight characters long.

• No spaces can be included in the file name, the extension or the directory name.

• Certain characters (? * , ; = + # >| [ ] / \) are illegal and cannot be used.

Quick Save Show to Card

This is done from the Save/Load Show menu

Menu>Save/Load Show>[Quick save]

6 SmartFade ML v3.0.1 User Manual

If a file name has been used, it will save to this name, otherwise it will jump to the Save as menu.

Load show from Card

This is done from the Save/Load Show menu

Menu>Save/Load Show>[Load show]

Select the show with the wheel. The default show offered for loading will be the last show, or the lowest numbered recording on the card.

Introduction 7

Load Patch from Card

This is done from the Save/Load Show menu.

Menu>Save/Load Show>[Save as]

Select the show with the wheel. Confirm loading by pressing ENTER.

The default show offered for loading a patch from will be the lowest numbered recording on the card. The reason for this is that you may want to save a dummy show with just a patch as show 01.

Load User Personalities from Card

This is done from the Save/Load Show menu.

Menu>Save/Load Show>[Load user Pers.]

Select the show with the wheel. Confirm loading by pressing ENTER.

The default show offered for loading a user personality from will be the lowest numbered recording on the card. The reason for this is that you may want to save a dummy show.

Load Personalities from Card

The console has a personality library with 500 of the most common fixtures. In addition to this there are 100 personality slots that you can fill by loading personalities from the updated personality library at etcconnect.com. Personalities are loaded from the SD card. The file should be called PERSLIB.BIN. A personality loaded in this way will stay in memory until you make a deep clear or the battery runs out.

This is done from the Patch menu.

Menu>Patch>Patch Devices>[Load Personalities]

Select the slot with wheel 2. Confirm slot by pressing ENTER.

Select manufacturer with wheel 1 (or 2). Select personality with wheel 3. Confirm personality by pressing ENTER.

8 SmartFade ML v3.0.1 User Manual

Format SD Memory Card

SD and SDHC Memory cards are usually pre-formatted. You may need to reformat your card(s) so that they will function with the console. SmartFade supports the following formats on SD and SDHC cards:

• SD Memory cards : FAT16 only

• SDHC Memory cards : FAT16 or FAT32 only

Formatting has to be done in a PC. You will need an SD card reading device connected to your PC.

CAUTION:

Step 1: Insert the SD card into its reading device. Make sure the device is connected to

Step 2: The SD card will appear as a new drive. You should be able to find it as an icon

Formatting your SD Card will erase any information stored on the card. Be sure to remove any important files from the card before formatting.

Only standard SD Memory cards or connection to a PC via USB may be used for updating the software on a SmartFade console. Software update is not possible using an SDHC Memory card.

your Windows PC.

with some drive letter A-Z under My Computer.

Introduction 9

Step 3: Right-click on the SD card icon and select Format. This will open the formatting

window.

Step 4: In the File System field, select FAT. This will establish the card’s file system as

FAT16.

Step 5: Click Start and then complete the formatting process.

10 SmartFade ML v3.0.1 User Manual

Chapter 1

General Information

This chapter gives you the general information you need to get started.

This chapter contains the following sections:

• Control Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

• Frontpanel Functionality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

• Philosophy of the Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

• Data Structure & Timing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

1 General Information 9

Control Capacity

SmartFade is a simple to use but very powerful lighting console for 48 intensity channels and 24 moving light devices, specifically designed to be usable right out of the box.

Intensity channels

There are 48 intensity channels. Each intensity channel can control one or more dimmers. They are divided into two groups of 24 (to simplify numbering on the faders).

Fader mode INT A = A1-A24

Fader mode INT B = B1-B24

It is possible to control dimmers with DMX addresses 1-48 right out of the box because the default patch for the intensity channels is 1-to-1. Intensities can be controlled live, and then stored into memories, sequences or the Stack steps. All intensities interact on a Highest Takes Precedence basis (HTP). HTP and LTP control rules, page 15

Moving Lights & Devices

Up to 24 moving lights & devices such as scrollers and LED fixtures can be controlled. Each Device has a dedicated button in the Selects section. Devices need to be patched before they can be used. See “Patch Devices” on page 23.

The intensity channels for the devices are automatically mapped to, and can be controlled from the faders just like the 48 intensity channels for dimmers.

Fader mode DEVICE INT = D1-D24

Moving lights, scrollers and LEDs can be controlled live, and then stored into groups, palettes, memories and sequence or the Stack steps. There is an effect generator for movements (Shapes), color mixing (Color) and patterns (Linear).

Independents

There are two Independent buttons that can control any number of outputs each, for specials like houselights, smoke machine or followspot. See “Patch Independents” on

page 22.

DMX Outputs

There are 2 DMX outputs allowing control of up to 1024 DMX outputs.

MIDI

There is a recommended subset of the standard MIDI Show Control (MSC) which is one of the most common ways to use MIDI to synchronise show equipment. Master Memory faders can be controlled with MIDI controllers, and Program Change commands can be used for some different functions.

Memory Card

Shows can be saved to a standard SD Memory card. See “Save & Load to Memory Card”

on page 6.

10 SmartFade ML v3.0.1 User Manual

Frontpanel Functionality

Device Selects 1-24

These buttons are used to select Devices, palettes, groups and effects. The buttons under are used to select different modes.

LCD Menus

The two displays with wheels and buttons are used for menus and device parameters.

Faders and Bump buttons

The 24 faders can be used to control intensities, parameters and memories or sequences. Select mode with the Faders buttons above them.

Crossfader The crossfader controls the Stack of 199 steps. It can be used for fading into manually preset looks as well.

CLEAR

UNDO

This is an overview of the functionality of the frontpanel of your SmartFade ML.

General Buttons

All buttons have LED’s. Some are multi-color. They light up when active, and blink when they can be selected for the current function.

Power button

The power button is used to power up and shut down the system.See “Power-up and

Shutdown Procedures” on page 4.

Clear button

The CLEAR button is used to clear intensities and set memory faders to zero (press 2-4 times). Nothing is deleted, it only sets levels to zero. See “Clear” on page 82.

It can also be held with other buttons for some special functions, this is described in this manual where it so applies.

Undo

The UNDO button is used to reverse some specific situations. This applies only to the last performed command, and there is only one level of undo.

1 General Information 11

Faders & Bump Buttons

INTAINTBDEVICE INT

PARAM1PARAM

MEMS

INT

ONLY

SOLO

MODE

BLACK

OUT

IND1IND

There are 24 faders. They can be set to control intensities, parameters or memories and sequences. These modes are set with the FADERS buttons.

Each fader has a Bump button below it. This button will light up when there is content, and it will mimic the output of the content by varying its intensity. The button color will vary depending on the type of content.

...

Fader Playback Modes

Faders with memories will control intensities and device parameters progressively when moved. They can be set to control memory intensities only by activating the INT ONLY button.

Bump Playback Modes

There are two Bump modes when a Bump button is pressed, Pile-on and Solo. Both use the level of the BUMPS fader. The SOLO button toggles between these modes. See “Bump

Master” on page 82.

Bump buttons with memories can be set to activate device parameters without bumping intensities by activating the GO MODE button. See “Memory Bump Modes” on page 83.

Note:

For intensity faders to control light output live, three things are required:

- The Master Fader is over zero, and normally set to full (the topmost position).

- The BLACKOUT button is off (not lit)

- The NEXT button is off (not lit).

Master & Black Out Function

The Master fader proportionally limits all intensity outputs. The Blackout button instantly sends all intensities generated by the console to zero (except those from active Independents, see below). See “Master & Black Out function” on page 82.

Independents

The two Independent buttons are separate control channels (IND 1, IND 2) that can control any patched outputs in a toggle or bump mode. The Independents are not affected by the Solo, Master or Blackout functions. See “Set up Independents” on page 22.

12 SmartFade ML v3.0.1 User Manual

Crossfader

STACK

RECORD

SEQ

MOVE

DARK

TIME

RATE

RECORD

ALL

RECORD

SEL

COPY

DELETE

EDIT

SNAP SHOT

1234567891011121314151617181920212223

HOME

FOCUS

COLOR

BEAM

ALIGN

RECORD

PAL/GRP

HIGH

LIGHT

GROUP

DEVICE SELECT

CLEAR

SEL

SELECT ACTIVE

EFFECT

EDIT

EFFECT

FAN

The Crossfader consists of a Live and Next fader, plus the Crossfade transport buttons. It can be used for fading between the 199 steps of the programmable Stack, or for singlescene fading into intensities that are set blind in NEXT mode. Stack & Crossfader, page 87

The following buttons are used together with the crossfader

Sequence & Stack Functions

These buttons are used to program and edit Sequences in the Mems faders, and the Stack of the Crossfader. See “Sequences” on page 58. See “Stack” on page 60.

Record & Edit Functions

The row of buttons over the legend RECORD offer recording and editing functions described in the Program and Edit chapters of this manual.See “Program” on page 39.

See “Edit” on page 65.

The Select Section

This section of 24 buttons is used to select devices, groups, palettes and effects. It uses the buttons in the Attributes, Selection and Modify sections to do this. See “Devices” on

page 42.

Attributes functions

These buttons are used to select modes for the 24 select buttons above them, and for masking and programming. See “Device Parameters” on page 45.

.....

Selection functions

These buttons are used to select and work with Devices in the 24 select buttons above them. See “Devices” on page 42.

Modify functions

These buttons are used to select and work with Effects in the 24 select buttons above them.

See “Effects” on page 51.

1 General Information 13

LCD & Wheel Functions

SEL

SMART

SOFT

The LCD menus provide quick access to functions. Parameters in the LCDs, page 45

Right LCD - Main menu

The right LCD, with one wheel, is the main menu for entering and exiting functions.

Action Console Feedback

Activate menus

Scroll through choices Wheel (3) Choices are shown over the wheel. Use the

Menu button again to move to subsequent levels, and to accept setting changes.

Previous choice Return to previous menu level.

Exit Cancels out of the menus.

Left LCD - Sub menus

The left LCD provides control of functions in sub menus. Use the wheels to set values and the SEL and MORE buttons to toggle choices.

LCD - Preview mode

In preview mode it’s possible to see programmed intensities for MEMS faders 1-24

Action Console Feedback

Activate preview mode Bumps 1-24 start blinking. Press again to

deactivate preview mode.

Select fader ... The selected Bump stops blinking. The LCD’s

will show intensities for the currently selected fader mode A/B/D. “IFCB” indicates the type of data recorded in the current memory.

14 SmartFade ML v3.0.1 User Manual

Philosophy of the Console

SmartFade ML is simple to use, and still offers advanced functionality for a rig of conventional lights, moving lights, scrollers and LEDs. There is a direct button for every intensity and device parameter. These functions are accessed from the fader modes.

The back-lit buttons make it possible to run SmartFade ML without an additional screen. They offer information about content, fader mode, intensities and color. For those who would like the benefits of an external screen, though, the SmartFade ML console may be connected via USB to a PC or Macintosh computer running the free SmartSoft software application. Download SmartSoft from the ETC Web site at www.etcconnect.com

The LCDs and the three wheels provide a powerful menu-driven editing functionality, and direct control of device parameters.

HTP and LTP control rules

Intensities

Dimmer channels and Device intensity channels operate using Highest Takes Precedence (HTP). This means that if an intensity is output from more than one fader, the highest level will be the resulting output.

Intensity channels can be set to a level using the faders in INT A, INT B and DEVICE INT mode. These channel faders operate in the Live fader of the Crossfader. They can be used to take a level originating from the Crossfader either up or down. Set levels will fade out when the Crossfader is operated.

Device Parameters

All device parameters operate exclusively live, using Latest Takes Precedence (LTP). This means that they are always “stolen” by the last action.

When you control devices using the PARAM faders, you may see those parameters "jump" to a level and then "catch up" to the fader's position. This is because a fader is always at some level between 0% and Full. Because the first move of the fader is considered the last action for that parameter, you will see these jumps when the fader does not match the starting level for the parameter. To avoid this jump, use the encoders to control your devices. Encoders only indicate a direction of change, not a fixed percentage level, so you will not see the jump since there is nothing to catch up to.

A memory containing device parameters can be set to have the device parameters follow the fader progressively, or not.

Different Ways to Use SmartFade ML

These are some different approaches to using SmartFade ML.

Manual control

Levels and device parameters are set directly using faders and encoders.

Single Scene crossfading

Set up intensities blind, and then crossfade into them Live. See “Single Scene Crossfading”

on page 89.

Programming for improvised playback

Prepare groups, palettes, effects and store into memories and sequences.

Programming a Cue Stack or List for playback

Record a Stack with up to 199 steps and fade times for playback in the crossfaders.

1 General Information 15

Data Structure & Timing

The data structure is very simple. The faders offer direct control of intensities and parameters. These levels can be stored in different ways.

Groups

Device selections can be stored in 24 groups for fast recall.

Palettes

Device parameters can be stored in three types of palettes for fast recall and to be programmed as referenced sources in memories and sequences. The palette types are FOCUS, COLOR and BEAM. There are 24 of each type. The concept of creating palettes for positions, colors and beam settings, and referencing them into memories instead of storing the actual parameters is to save time. Its very fast to select four devices and say “go to centre stage (Focus Palette 2) in red (Color Palette 1). If anything changes in your show you will save time again, by editing the palettes instead of editing all memories and steps that they are stored in. If they are changed they will update themselves where they have been used throughout a show, for example when the focus palette for a piece of scenery is moved, or when a certain red color palette has been changed into a deeper red. There is a Palette default time.

Effects

Effects are a very fast way to create interesting patterns and movements with devices. There are 11 Shape effects for pan/tilt movements in devices, 11 Linear effects for intensities or any single device parameter and 11 Color effects for color mixing devices. The effects are referenced as sources just like palettes. Offset is stored in the memory, but not Depth and Speed. Those are stored in the effect.

Memories

Memories are created to store intensities, device parameters and references to palettes and effects to a fader. These memories can be played back from the faders, and they can be stored as steps in sequences or the Stack. There are 24 fader memories in 12 fader pages = 288 Memories in total. Each memory can have an FCB time to control the transition of device parameters.

Snapshots

The complete output, including intensities and parameters, can be instantly stored with a Snapshot function. Up to 10 such Snapshots can be buffered. They can be stored as memories at a later point.

Sequences

The fastest way to create a loop of memories is to record a sequence. A sequence is a list of 24 steps that can be played back manually, looped or as a OneShot from the faders. Each step can be a single intensity channel or a memory. Each step can have an Up, Down and Wait time. There are general timing override functions like Rate, Fade and BPM as well.

Stack

The Stack is theatre style list of 199 steps that can be played back manually or as a OneShot from the Crossfader. It is intended as a main cue list for a show. Each step can be a single intensity channel, a memory or a unique Stack memory state called a cue. Each step can have an Up, Down and Wait time. There are general timing override functions like Rate and Fade override as well.

16 SmartFade ML v3.0.1 User Manual

Chapter 2

Setup

The default setup of SmartFade ML allows you to run 48 dimmer channels straight out of the box. Moving lights, scrollers and LEDs always have to be patched, since they require a specific personality corresponding to each type. There are other user Settings for displays and language. These are described in this chapter.

This chapter contains the following sections:

• DMX Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

• Clear/Set Patch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

• Patch Dimmers (INT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

• Patch Independents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

• Patch Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

• Console Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

• MIDI Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

• Custom Moving Light Personalities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

2 Setup 17

DMX Output

DMX (Digital MultipleX) is a worldwide standard (or protocol) that your SmartFade ML uses to communicate with lighting equipment. It is a digital protocol that basically defines a state of “on”, “off” or a percentage of “on”. DMX can be used to control dimmers, moving lights, fog machines, LEDs, scrollers, media servers or any number of other DMX devices.

DMX is restricted to a total of 512 (output) channels available in one DMX line (referred to as a universe). Your SmartFade ML has two such universes, allowing control of up to 1024 outputs (2x512).

The DMX outputs are patched to console channels for intensities or devices in SmartFade ML. There are 48 intensity channels, 24 device channels and 2 independent channels. The D1-24 channels can be patched directly to dimmers in the patch by channel/dimmer menus as well. Each console channel can be patched to multiple outputs. The default is set 1:1.

INT A1-A24, , INT B1-B24, DEVICE INT D1-D24, IND 1, IND 2

A moving light device can have up to 48 different parameters, each parameter requiring one of the 1024 outputs. This depends on the type of moving light, and is automatically set by patching the appropriate personality.

DMX Out Speed

In rare cases some DMX devices may have trouble reading DMX at the full standard speed supplied by SmartFade ML. This is often seen as flicker in your lighting devices. You can slow down the DMX out speed to try to alleviate such communications errors with other manufacturer’s equipment. The default is set to “Max”.

Menu>Setup>DMX Out>[Max]..[Slow]..[Medium]..[Fast]

18 SmartFade ML v3.0.1 User Manual

Clear/Set Patch

Clear Intensity Patch

The intensity patch for INT A and INT B is cleared from the Patch Menu.

Menu>Patch>Patch Set/Clear>[Clear INT Patch]

Press OK to confirm.

Set Intensity Patch 1:1

The intensity patch for INT A and INT B is set 1:1 from the Patch Menu.

Menu>Patch>Patch Set/Clear>[Set INT Patch 1:1?]

Press OK to confirm.

Note:

The Device Intensity channels can be used to patch 24 more conventional lights if no Devices are being used. See “Patch by Channel” on page 21.

Clear Device Patch

Devices can be unpatched “all” or one by one in the Patch Menu.

Menu>Patch>Patch Set/Clear>[Clear Device]

Select All or 1-24 with wheel, and press OK to confirm.

2 Setup 19

Patch Dimmers (INT)

SEL

There are 48 intensity channels that can be patched to two DMX universes (1024 outputs). They are divided into two groups of 24 - fader mode INT A and INT B.

The Default Patch

SmartFade ML defaults to a “1 to 1” patch mode in DMX universe 1 for dimmers.

INT A = DMX1-24 INT B = DMX 25-48

This is the simplest version of a patch and is the most common, as it is easy to remember and provides immediate control with all of your available channels. It is also possible to create a custom patch by assigning any DMX output(s) to any control channel. Setting the patch is simple and is performed on the LCD menu.

Patch Live or Blind

Patching in Live will set the selected DMX output to full , and set all other dimmers to zero so you can see what’s connected to that dimmer. Patching in Blind will not affect current DMX values until changes in the patch override any active channels.

Note:

A dimmer can only be patched to one control channel at a time. If you patch a dimmer and then later patch the same dimmer to a different channel, the dimmer will be automatically unpatched from its original channel and assigned to the new channel.

Patch by Dimmer

Patching by dimmer is probably the easiest way to patch a rig that is unknown to you. In Live mode you can turn on each output one by one, select an intensity channel and patch it.

Step 1: Open the Patch:

Menu>Patch>[Patch by dimmer]

Step 2: Choose between Live and Blind mode using encoder wheel 3.

Press (MENU) to confirm.

Step 3: All patching is done in the left LCD.

Menu choice Console Feedback

DMX Wheel 1 Select a DMX output. If you are patching Live

it will be set to full instantly.

CH. Wheel 2 Select a channel to patch or unpatch to the

selected DMX output.

<[U1] Toggles the DMX universe between 1 and 2.

[UNPATCH] Press to patch or unpatch the currently

selected channel to the currently selected DMX output and universe.

20 SmartFade ML v3.0.1 User Manual

Patch by Channel

SEL

Patching by channel is just as simple as patching by dimmer. The only difference is that the starting point is the intensity channel. By doing it Live you can check what is patched to each intensity channel, and then patch or unpatch more dimmer outputs to this channel.

Step 1: Open the Patch:

Menu>Patch>[Patch by channel]

Step 2: Choose between Live and Blind mode using encoder wheel 3.

Press (MENU) to confirm.

Step 3: Patching is done in the left LCD. The right LCD shows all dimmer outputs

patched to the currently selected channel - use encoder wheel 3 to scroll if there are more than three dimmer outputs patched to the same intensity channel.

Menu choice Console Feedback

CH. Wheel 1 Select a channel to patch or unpatch. The

corresponding DMX output will be selected immediately when the wheel is moved. D1D24 can be selected as well. See Note.

Note:

DMX Wheel 2 Select a DMX output to patch to the selected

channel. If it is already patched there is an “*” before the number as in the image above.

[U1]> Toggles the DMX universe between 1 and 2.

[UNPATCH] Press to patch or unpatch the currently

selected channel to the currently selected DMX output and universe.

You can patch any of the D1-24 intensity channels to conventional dimmers. This is useful if you need more than 48 intensity channels, or if you are using scrollers or other accessories on conventional lights.

2 Setup 21

Patch Independents

Independent buttons IND 1 and IND 2 provide two outputs separated from all other controls. They are intended to operate devices such as smoke machines, tab tracks, cue lights, etc.

• SOLO does not affect these outputs.

• The state or result of the 2 independent outputs is not recordable.

The Default Patch

SmartFade ML defaults to the last outputs in DMX universe 1 for the independents.

IND 1 = DMX 511 IND 2 = DMX 512

This is easy to remember and provides immediate control with two outputs. It is also possible to create a custom patch by assigning any DMX outputs to the independents. This is done in the Patch. They are indicated in the patch as channels i1 and i2. See “Patch by

Dimmer” on page 20. See “Patch by Channel” on page 21.

Set up Independents

The basic behaviour of the buttons and faders are set up in the Independents menu.

Menu>[Independents]

Button behavior

Menu choice Console Feedback

[Button mode] Wheels 1 & 2

[Master mode] Wheels 1 & 2

Sets if BLACKOUT and MASTER fader will affect or not.

[Set Level] Wheels 1 & 2

22 SmartFade ML v3.0.1 User Manual

+ 74 hidden pages